Reverend John Wayne Thomas, a native of Paris, Texas, passed away on February 1st, 2022. He was born in Paris, Texas, December 21, 1947, to L.E. Thomas and Marshall Gunishaw, Sr. Both parents preceded him in death. Rev. John attended Gibbons and Paris High School where he graduated in 1968. A brief enrollment at Paris Jr. College prior to enlisting in the United States Navy in 1969. He was honorably discharged in 1971.
After a brief return to Paris, post his deployment, John moved to Houston, Texas in 1972. In 1973, he enrolled at Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Services. He graduated in 1975 with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in 1997. John graduated and received his license to be a funeral director in 1977 and has been licensed to practice for 45 years.
John was preceded in death by his first wife Jewel McFarlin Brown in 1997. Later in life, he met Rhonda Ejiasi and they were married December 7, 2001.
He was stricken with cancer in 2003. Being the motivated man that he was, he applied and was accepted to the College of Biblical Studies-Houston, where he graduated with a B.S. degree in 2009. Not to be beaten by cancer or dialysis, he went on to get his Master of Divinity conferred from the Houston Graduate School of Theology on May 12, 2012.
He leaves to cherish his memories his wife, Rhonda; his “loving and favorite” aunt, Mattie M. Jones, of Paris, Texas, daughters Crystal Hearn of Dallas, Texas, Erica Bills (Ray) of Oklahoma, City; stepsons, Brian Ejiasi (Christina) of Manville, Texas; Derrick Harris of Houston, Texas. Four siblings: brother Marshall Gunishaw (Carol) of Reno Nevada, Glendra Gunishaw Johnson of Paris; Dorothea Coleman Brewer (Wendell) of Houston, Texas, brother Ivan Coleman of Houston, Texas; 11 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and a host of other family and friends.
Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church
3826 Wheeler Ave, Houston, Texas 77004
February 10, 2022
Viewing Service 10:00 am
Funeral Service 11:00 am
Burial Service. 1:30 pm
VA Houston National Cemetery
Online condolences may be sent to the Thomas family by visiting https://www.troybsmith.com/obituary/john-thomas
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